“It’s difficult to classify our sound because we draw from different genres, but really, our foundation is soul music,” says keyboardist/vocalist Joel Parisien. “And soul music definitely has sacred roots. So, we want to return this familiar music to its sacred roots, all the while leading people to a place of praise, release, revival and worship.”
And revival permeates Salvation Station, beginning with the title track’s driving beat which then gives way to the steady pulse of “Working Man.” The album also makes room for introspective songs like “Sweet Holy Spirit” and “Waitin’ Till the Rapture Comes.”
“This project is like a child of the new world,” notes Parisien. “It really couldn’t have come from anywhere else, because the mix of styles, the whole history of gospel and blues becoming jazz, rock and hip-hop, that cultural experience happened here in the New World.”
Newworldson won fans this fall opening on labelmate newsboys’ highly successful “GO” tour. The band will again join newsboys for a spring leg, kicking off in February. Additional details are forthcoming.
Newworldson comprises Parisien, drummer Mark Rogers, bassist Rich Moore and guitarist/vocalist Josh Toal, four musicians who came together at a jazz club playing gospel music. The debut radio single “Salvation Station” is currently being played at Christian Adult Contemporary and Christian Hit Radio. For more information on Newworldson, visit www.newworldson.com or www.myspace.com/newworldson.
Buy the Salvation Station EP from iTunes by clicking link below:
Rock band Red was involved in a serious vehicle accident Tuesday, November 27, 2007, at approximately 6:30 AM CT. The band was heading west on Interstate 24, less than 20 miles from Nashville, Tenn., returning home from a concert in Hilton Head Island, S.C., the night before. Despite major damage to the band’s van and trailer, no serious injuries have been reported.
International superstar Krystal Meyers will see two of her songs used by an online multi-player video game, called Audition, starting December 18. “Only You Make Me Happy” and “Live,” from Meyers’ latest album, Dying For A Heart, will be available as part of the anime “dance battle” game. Check out Audition online at www.nexon.net.
Curb recording artist and GMA’s reigning Female Vocalist of the Year, Natalie Grant, is preparing to headline her third annual Christmas Tour this season. With “American Idol’s” Mandisa and GMA’s current Male Vocalist and New Artist of the Year, Aaron Shust, as special guests, the “Natalie Grant –– A Christmas To Believe In” Tour is slated to hit 14 cities in December. The Tour will also introduce Centricity recording artist Daniel Kirkley.
Christian Rock leader Pillar will release its fifth-studio album, the big, fun and commanding, For Love of the Game, on February 26, 2008. The buzz is well underway. During the 2007 MLB (Major League Baseball) World Series, the title track was prominently featured during ESPN’’s nightly program, Baseball Tonight. Nearly one month prior to its official add-date at radio, ““For the Love of the Game” was most added at R&R Christian Rock Radio. For the Love of the Game was recorded at Lakeside Studios in Knoxville, Tennessee, and was produced by Travis Wyrick (Disciple, Spoken, P.O.D.).
Stephanie Smith, Gotee Records’ up-and-coming female pop-rocker, performed her hit song “Superstar” as part of a Soles4Souls shoe donation at The Tennessee School For The Blind.
Fireflight's new song "Unbreakable" (the title track of their upcoming sophomore album) is now available for your listening and viewing pleasure over at the NBC website.
Grammy Award-nominated Integrity Music recording artist NewSong, along with critically-acclaimed Ardent/INO singer/songwriter Todd Agnew, will herald the holiday season with “The Christmas Promise Tour.” With special guests Matthew West and Britt Nicole, the tour will also feature Agnew’s acclaimed Christmas musical, “Do You See What I See?”
Superchick’s hit song “Hero” is currently featured in a new public service announcement (PSA) by NBC Universal. The “Green Is Universal” PSA announces the company’s more than 150 hours of environmentally themed content that will encompass all of NBC Universal’s divisions across multiple platforms from November 4-10, including NBC, In addition to appearing on the NBC Universal television platforms, Universal Pictures will run the “Green Is Universal” PSA as post-roll on its online trailers during the programming week and as ads in theater lobbies.
Dynamic vocal foursome Avalon welcomes new member Jeremi Richardson to the group. Richardson joins the award-winning artist in time for the release of its ninth studio album, Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics, on Feb. 26.Originally from Cleveland, Tenn., Richardson and his wife Amy currently reside in Orlando, Fla. where he is a member of the Disney groups Voices of Liberty and Four for a Dollar. He has toured singing and leading worship all over the United States, Jamaica, Bermuda and Israel. His voice can be heard on numerous recordings by Tribe Studios, Jeff Arthur Productions, WiseGuys Productions, Walt Disney Studios, Word Music, Brentwood-Benson, SpiritSound Music, and Integrity Music.
“I have been a longtime fan of Avalon,” says Richardson. “I first saw the group on tour with Crystal Lewis my sophomore year of college. It was that same evening I made the decision to pursue a singing career. I am so honored to be part of the group and look forward to what the future holds for Avalon.”
And in the very near future Avalon will release its latest music offering, Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics, a collection of contemporary Christian music’s most beloved songs. Paying tribute to CCM legends including Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Twila Paris, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Crystal Lewis, among others, the record celebrates those songs which not only have influenced the genre itself but also Avalon and its more than decade-long career.
“These are songs that first made us want to do what we’re doing today,” says Greg Long of Avalon. “So many of these artists impacted us in a memorable way from before we began performing as a group until today.”
Beginning Nov. 13, a three-song preview EP featuring “Another Time, Another Place,” “God Is In Control” and “Thy Word” will be available on iTunes and other digital music outlets. The album’s single, “Another Time, Another Place,” went for ads at Christian Adult Contemporary radio on Nov. 2. The group is also planning a major tour to launch spring 2008. Additional details are forthcoming.
The guys in Delirious have a free song (from their upcoming album Kingdom of Comfort, April 2008) available for download. The song is called "God is Smiling", and the guys had this to say about where you can obtain it. According to a recent update:
Switchfoot is giving away the song "Rebuild" on their website Switchfoot.com. Here's what lead singer and guitarist Jon Foreman says in part about the song and the download:
Female-fronted rock band Inhabited finds a new home at burgeoning indie label 7 Spin Music. The group is putting the finishing touches on its sophomore release, LOVE, releasing through 7 Spin Music on Feb. 26.Comprising Sara Acker (vocals), Marcus Acker (guitar), and Charlie Harper (drums), Houston-based Inhabited exploded onto the Christian music scene four years ago with its independent project Innerview. The band set a whole new standard for indie success, claiming a Top 20 Christian Hit Radio single with “Rescue Me.” The song also made Christian Rock radio’s Top 10.
Inhabited released its debut label project, Revolution, with Fervent Records in 2005. Revolution earned rave reviews from media who hailed frontwoman Sara’s strong vocals, formidable stage presence and genuine heart for youth. The group steadily grew its loyal fan base, while touring alongside popular artists Todd Agnew, Starfield, By The Tree and Jonah33. Today Inhabited continues to re-invent itself, always on the cutting edge of sound and style.
Peter Khosla, president of 7 Spin Music comments, “The quality that most impressed me about Inhabited is its sincere desire to impact youth. The group is also musically talented and works extremely hard at its ministry. The band is an excellent fit with what we’re trying to cultivate here at 7 Spin.”
“We are so happy to be at 7 Spin and are excited that they aren’t afraid to be bold and think outside the box,” says Sara Acker. “They have already been a blessing, and I’m stoked we’re teaming together to get LOVE to the masses!”
Inhabited’s national sophomore project, LOVE, will be produced by industry veteran Monroe Jones (Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Third Day). In stores Feb. 26, the album’s first radio single, “Hush,” written and produced by Marcus and Sara Acker, is currently at No. 22 on Christian Hit Radio. Additional details on the record are forthcoming.
Inhabited is also on the SHOUTfest tour this fall. For an updated tour itinerary or for more information on the band, visit: www.inhabitedtheband.com. Or their myspace page here.
Help the Creation 2008 festival book its artists! Fill out their survey here and you could possibly win two free tickets.
This November, Starkville, Mississippi will hold its first annual Johnny Cash Flower Pickin’ Festival, featuring a symbolic posthumous pardon to Cash, and a line-up of musicians closely associated with the late singer and American icon. The event will be held November 2-4, 2007, and will feature performances by Joanne Cash and Kevin Max, as well as Marty Stuart & the Fabulous Superlatives and others.
Kathy Cash Tittle, the second oldest of the four Cash daughters, will accept the pardon on her father's behalf during the pardoning ceremony on November 3rd. The pardon doesn’t suggest that anyone condoned Cash’s behavior. It symbolically recognizes Cash as an imperfect human who made mistakes but gained insight and wisdom by learning from his indiscretions. It’s not about Johnny Cash getting arrested; it’s about what his life symbolized to so many people — that no matter what happens in life, you can redeem yourself.
Former Zoegirl member Alisa Girard Childers is releasing a solo CD on December 1st.
Tickets are now on sale for both the Creation Northeast and Northwest summer festivals (is it our imagination or is it a little early to be thinking about summer?). But if you're a fan of Creation, the nation's largest festival, then you'll save money by ordering your tickets now. Visit the Creation website for more info here. Or visit the festival's Myspace page here.
Brand new music from female-led rock band Fireflight will debuted last night on NBC with the band’s yet unreleased track “Unbreakable” selected to air in promotion for the network’s new hit show “Bionic Woman”.
Before the powerhouse band hits the road for its Christmas Offerings tour with friends Jars of Clay, they'll be on the West Coast catching a little California sun.
Relient K is in the running for McDonald’s current contest promotion where the winning act will have their music featured in the fast food chain’s TV commercial, as well as the winner’s image plastered on over 300 million french fry containers worldwide. With voting already underway at: http://www.mcdlive.com/http://www.mcdlive.com/
Home to today’s most influential Christian music artists, including newsboys, Mat Kearney, Shane and Shane, and Superchick, Inpop Records readies to launch its next big act with Newworldson. Featuring an energetic blend of pop, soul, and gospel, Newworldson will release its national label debut on Feb. 12, 2008.
According to the band's website, drummer Dave Douglas is leaving the band. Says the band:
In a recent podcast put out by Flicker Records, the band Fireflight talked about themselves, their upcoming new album, and more! At the end of the podcast are clips of songs from the new album.
Worship leader and songwriter John Waller has a new video piece receiving attention on YouTube this week. The clip accompanies Waller’s passionate anthem “Still Calls Me Son".
Happy Birthday Smitty!: With the release of his 20th album, It’s A Wonderful Christmas, Oct. 16, Michael W. Smith finds himself globe trotting, with tour stops in Glasgow, Scotland; Horsens, Denmark; Milan and Naples, Italy after which he heads to South Africa for a run of four shows before returning home for a small break. While in Holland recently, Michael performed before 17 thousand fans who helped make his birthday extra special by singing “Happy Birthday” to him during the sold out Oct 7 show. 
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Fervent Records welcomes new female duo, CADIA, to its artist roster. Spotlighting positive messages for music fans, the group will release its self-titled, national debut album on Feb. 26, 2008.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – October 1, 2007 – John Schlitt, multi-Grammy winning recording artist and lead singer of Petra, announces the sampler release of his third solo project (as of yet untitled).Girls are constantly told that sex equals love. Every outlet of media has taken this message and morphed the standard of beauty into a cookie cutter image, pressuring girls to measure up. In order to be "loveable", we are taught to simply walk in and get a quick plastic surgery to change everything "not right" about us. This emotional marketing appeals to a girls natural desire to be wanted, and has tainted the true definition of beauty and love.
Hush was written in hopes to interrupt the noisy trends, and encourage girls to stop filling their minds with garbage! It is about spiritual warfare, and teaches them to "take every thought captive" that is contrary to truth! (II Corinthians 10:5) It rallies girls to raise the standard of purity in their minds, which will give them eyes to see truth. There is an undeniable beauty and power found in the light of the presence of God. This beauty is available to every girl, if she will simply seek to find it.
Visit Inhabited's MySpace page to hear "Hush". It's a catchy one, folks!
(Nashville, Tenn.) September 26, 2007 –– Dove Award-winning, rock band Red announces the November 13, 2007 release of End of Silence: Deluxe Edition, a two-disc (CD/DVD) set which comprises the band’’s GRAMMY-nominated debut album, including a dramatic, never-before-heard, acoustic version of “Lost”, along with a DVD that will visually bring the live Red experience to all.
